Roland CUBE-80GX Guitar Combo Amplifier

Building on the top-level tone and rock-solid reliability that's made the CUBE name famous, the Roland CUBE-GX series turns up the heat with even more versatile operation and connectivity for Apple's iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The flagship CUBE-80GX packs a punch with 80 big watts of power and a custom-designed 12-inch speaker, delivering first-class performance in a compact amp that's ready for the stage. 11 COSM(R) amp types and three independent channels--including a fully programmable SOLO channel--put a huge range of tones at your command, with remote control of channel switching, effects, and more via the optional GA-FC Foot Controller. i-CUBE LINK takes practice and mobile recording to a greater level, providing a simple onboard audio interface for working with music apps on your favorite iOS devices.

Gig-Ready Dynamo

Equipped with 80 watts of power and a custom-designed 12-inch speaker, the CUBE-80GX is a pro-level combo amp for stage and studio, with rich and dynamic sound, integrated effects, and plenty of volume. For recording sessions or more sound coverage in larger venues, use the convenient LINE OUT and/or RECORDING OUT jacks to send mix-ready, studio-quality tones with COSM speaker modeling directly to the mixing board. The RECORDING OUT jack doubles as a PHONES jack and mutes the onboard speaker, perfect for silent practice at home or backstage. Built with legendary CUBE construction standards for rock-solid reliability, the CUBE-80GX is compact, easy to transport, and prepared to withstand the rigors of the road.

COSM Amps and Three Independent Channels

The CUBE-80GX features a wide range of COSM amp types and three independent channels for maximum tonal versatility. The JC CLEAN channel provides the renowned clean tone of Roland's famous JC-120, while the LEAD channel offers ten different amp choices, from blackface clean to Brit overdrive to the original EXTREME amp for massive, high-gain metal riffs. A third SOLO channel is completely programmable, allowing you to store all settings from either the JC CLEAN or LEAD channel, along with EQ and effects.

Top Quality FX and More

With three independent, easy-to-use effects sections, the CUBE-80GX puts a full arsenal of top guitar processing under your control. The EFX section offers five different stompbox-type effects, while the dedicated DELAY section has two different delay types and a TAP button for quickly setting delay times. REVERB is included as well, with your choice of vintage spring emulation or a studio-style plate. The CUBE-80GX also features a chromatic/manual tuner, built right into the amp!

Powerful Performance Control

The optional GA-FC Foot Controller is the perfect partner for the CUBE-80GX, with six footswitches for selecting amp channels and turning effect sections on/off. It's also equipped with two expression pedal jacks for foot control of input and master volumes. Setup time is lightning fast--the GA-FC requires no AC power adapter, and connects easily via its included stereo 1/4-inch cable. Remote channel switching on the CUBE-80GX is also possible with optional BOSS FS-5U or FS-6 footswitches.

i-CUBE Link: Built-In Interface for iOS Devices

Onboard the CUBE-80GX is Roland's innovative i-CUBE LINK interface, which lets you integrate with your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using a real guitar amp with great tone. Unlike typical bulky and inconvenient iOS guitar interfaces, i-CUBE LINK connects to your device's audio jack quickly and simply with the included cable, providing two-way communication with your favorite music apps. With i-CUBE LINK, you can play along with music tracks and send studio-quality COSM guitar tones with effects straight into the recording app of your choice. The versatile i-CUBE LINK jack can also be used as a simple stereo input, enabling you to plug in nearly any music player or audio device and play it through the CUBE-80GX.

CUBE JAM APP: Powerful, Fun, and Free!

Available for free from the App Store, the Roland CUBE JAM app turns your iOS device into a fun command center for jamming, recording, and learning. Play back commercial songs and minus-one tracks through the CUBE-80GX via i-CUBE LINK and riff along for hours with the amp's great COSM tones. CUBE JAM also records audio through the i-CUBE LINK connection, letting you capture your jams with a single touch. After recording, you can adjust the volume of your guitar and backing music independently in the app, then export your mix to a 16-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV file. CUBE JAM also includes powerful tools for music practice, including independent speed and pitch adjustment of audio playback, Center Cancel to remove solos and create your own jam tracks, and more.

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"Roland Cube 80GX - pedal steel and banjo amp"

Sound:
It took a bit to dial in the sounds I like, but they were spot on. The built in effects are first rate, as I've used Boss pedals for reverb, delay and distortion for quite some time, and the ones included give plenty of options and flexibility. Our FOH sound man says its the best sound and signal he's ever gotten. I use a Hilton active volume pedal, and it took some adjustment to keep a clean sound, but it was achievable.
Feature:
I generally like all the features, except for the "line out", which is only a standard 1/4" jack. I have to use a direct box to send the signal to the sound guys. A built in
DI with an XLR out would have been the best. Still, the 80GX is the only one in the series that has a line out, and it does work.
The most usefull feature for me is having three distinct presets to use. It accomplishes everything I've needed in the past, and need now.
The least useful feature for me, so far, has been the effects section. I haven't found much need for chorus, flanger, phaser and tremolo...yet. More expirimenting is needed... on my part.
Additionally, I thought I would need the optional GA-FC six button footswitch. I play with the amp to my right side, with all the controls within easy reach. There was no need, and quite a bit of savings by not buying it.
Ease of Use:
Almost all of my playing is through FOH sound, so I only need to have enough volume for me to hear myself. I wear 15db ear plugs while playing, but set up and play the first few songs without them to be sure everything sounds good. This amp is easy to set up, and is fun to use. At home I like experimenting with the COSM and effects settings to see what "new" sounds I can get. The amp is very easy to use.
Quality:
Looks and feels well built to me. I am going to get a D2F cover for it though. Time will tell on the electronics.
Value:
As an all-in-one option for a pedal steel player that doubles on another instrument, this amp can't be beat. I saved at least $300 on effect pedals alone, not to mention the cost of another amp for a banjo.
Manufacturer Support:
When I first got it, I emailed Roland support to get information on using the line out jack, and they recommended using a Direct Box. They haven't steered me wrong yet.
The Wow Factor:
For a regular gigging musician, this amp has all the features I need, and at a weight that saves my back and wallet. Roland really put together a great piece with this unit.
Overall:
At 60 years old, I've been playing pedal steel guitar and 5st. banjo for the last 35 years, and play 85 to 90 weekend gigs a year. I've always had to rely on two amps to get the sound I wanted. I've used primarily Peavey amps for steel - Session 400, Session 500, Nashville 400 and finally a Nashville 112. The heaviest was the 500 at about 80 pounds; the lightest, the 112 was about 42 lbs. I even lightened that one up by swapping a Selenium NEO speaker for the original.
For banjo, I've used Gallien Kruger MV200, Crate Gunniston, and LR Baggs preamps direct to the board. They all worked, but with limits to stage volume before feedback.
After reading several comments on the steel guitar websites, I decided to give the Roland 80GX a try...and am I glad I did. The weight savings was tremendous, and the effects, COSM options and channelling functions were like they were made for me. I use the JC Clean channel for straight steel with reverb and a bit of delay, and use the Lead channel for added growl and distortion. For banjo, I used the Lead channel and saved it as my Solo setting.
This resulted in about 50 pound less lugging around, eliminating one amp, one pedal board, a mic and cab grabber. It reduced my power strip usage by two slots, cleaned up my cables, reduced mixer channels to just one and made me a very happy camper. I just might be able to play this thing for another 20 years.

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zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"Compact, versatile amp"

Overall:
I'm getting old and I was looking for a light amp I could carry. Wanted to be able to get ample volume, pipe it through the PA if needed, and of course it needed to sound good. Even though I'm a die hard 'tube man', I thought I'd give this Cube 80GX a try. I like what I heard on my gig, and it will become one of my regular amps for rehearsals and small gigs. I had to special order a cover from a 3rd party vendor (because Roland doesn't make a cover for this), and I would recommenced doing the same. The pedal that controls all the effects, reverb and channel switching is a little pricey, but I went ahead and bought it anyway. I plan on keeping this amp so I wanted the pedal and the cover. This amp gets LOUD. You can play anywhere with it. The tone is great and you can get decent tube tone simulations out of it. As with all solid state amps, you can't 'push it' to the top of it's power rating.... you have to always work within the comfort level of the amp, and then you'll get good tones. (Tube amps can be pushed over the edge and still sound good. Can't do that with solid state amps). I have a Roland mini for years and always liked it. (It sits under my desk for personal rehearsal work). Because of this, I gave the Roland Cube 80GX a try. I like it, and I'm sure you will too! It's a "pro amp".... not some cheap 'wanna-be' amp So you can haul this thing out to a gig and be proud of what you're playing through.

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